Drive for regionalism is risky, says bishop

THE Government's drive towards English regionalism could become as dangerous and divisive as some forms of nationalism, the Bishop of Liverpool said last night.

The Rt Rev James Jones said the proposals for regional assemblies championed by John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, could highlight the way England loses out economically to Scotland and Wales. Addressing the North West Constitutional Convention, he called for a reasoned debate on whether devolving more power to the regions would lead to greater economic prosperity and "stronger national cohesion".

The demand for Scottish and Welsh devolution, which forced the Government to set up a parliament in Edinburgh and an assembly in Cardiff last year, was fuelled "by an antagonism towards England and London in particular", he said. Scotland and Wales, where public spending per head of population is 20 per cent greater than in England, risked becoming economic competitors to the English regions.

"The English regions are beginning to ask why, and to ask the question with increasing volume. They look at the closer relationship between say Edinburgh and Brussels and wonder who is batting in Europe for them with the same access to power and the same resources."

He said those pushing for devolved regional government in England should base their case on "something more noble than just economic envy". He said: "Without doubt the devolution genie is out of the bottle, however much some politicians may regret the uncorking. If regionalism is to progress it surely must become a means and not an end in itself, otherwise regionalism could become as dangerous and as destructive and as divisive as some forms of nationalism."

Related Articles

The Government has set up new regional development authorities and has made clear that it is prepared to support the setting up of regional parliaments. English regions, in particular in the North, have been voicing complaints about the preferential financial settlement that gives Scotland more public spending per capita than in England.